Washington (CNN) – This convention season has not been good for atheists.

The word "God" was reinserted in the Democratic platform after it had been removed. A plan to raise atheist billboards in the convention cities was stymied by opponents. And though there were preachers and rabbis and other religious leaders opening and closing each day of each convention, there wasn’t an avowed atheist talking up unbelief on either convention’s speaking list.

The political lockout has left many nonbelievers asking, “What political party represents me?”

“We are deeply saddened by the exclusion of a large number of Americans by both parties,” said Teresa MacBain, a spokeswoman for the group American Atheists, in an interview on Thursday. “It amazes me that in modern-day America, so much prejudice still exists.”

After word spread Wednesday that Democrats left God out of their platform, atheists rejoiced. “Truly amazing news,” wrote Loren Miller on Atheist Nexus, a popular atheist blog. “The Republicans remain in the firm grasp of right-wing Christian religiosity, and I really don't know what it's going to take to free them from it.”

But the convention committee immediately received huge pressure get God back in the platform. Even President Obama, according to CNN reporting, said, “Why on earth would that have been taken out?” when he first heard of the omission.

In an awkward session that required three voice votes on the convention floor, the Democrats opted to add “God” back to the platform.

For atheists, the Democrats were seen to be taking away a hard-fought victory. “We had 24 hours of joy as we felt (that) finally our government values all people,” said MacBain. “But that was short-lived. The vote last night angered many atheists and left them feeling excluded once again.”

Online, atheist websites and Facebook pages went from upbeat to downcast as news spread of the platform revision.

“Obama was the first president to acknowledge non believers,” Mark Musante wrote on the American Atheists’ Facebook page. “I wish he would stick to his guns.”

Musante was referring to Obama’s 2009 inauguration speech, when the president said, “We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers.”

Beverly Sitherwood, on the Friendly Atheist blog Facebook page, accused the Democrats of “Pandering for power.”

Some atheist leaders used the platform defeat as a rallying call.

“I guess a tiny step was too much to ask for,” David Silverman, president of the American Atheists, told CNN. “This was a clear message to the 16% of the voting population - we don’t count. Well, guess what, Dems - we do. And we vote.”

Silverman says that 16% of the voting public identify as nonbelievers. According to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, 12% of the electorate in 2008 was made up of people with no religious affiliation, though experts say the number of avowed atheists is much smaller.

While acknowledging atheists, Obama has given platforms to high-profile religious leaders, including Rick Warren, a megachurch pastor who prayed at his inauguration, and Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who is giving the final prayer of the convention on Thursday night.

American Atheists’ plans to raise billboards ridiculing the presidential candidates’ faith ended in failure. After the group put up billboards in Charlotte, North Carolina, the site of the Democratic National Convention, last month, it quickly removed them due to “physical threats to not only our staff, but the billboard company as well.”

American Atheists had also planned on a billboard in Tampa, Florida, to coincide with the Republican National Convention there. But American Atheists said that all the billboard companies in Tampa rejected a sign taking aim at GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith.

Perhaps because of the Republican Party’s ties to conservative Christianity, atheists tend to be Democrats. According to a 2012 Pew study, 71% of Americans who identified as atheist were Democrats.

“The Republicans who spoke at the RNC seemed more like televangelists than politicians,” MacBain said. “The message was clear from the RNC: Get God, or get out.”

The Republican’s 2012 platform mentions God 12 times, many of which describe the “God-given” rights that the Republican Party says are inherent to the American idea.

Though most atheist groups claim that there are closeted atheists serving as representatives and senators, only one has come out as such.

In September 2007, Rep. Pete Stark, Democrat of California, affirmed his atheism in a speech at the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard University.

soundoff(3,922 Responses)

Ahhh the poor Atheists feel they have been left out...Them poor babies)::

September 11, 2012 at 2:03 pm |

Amniculi

We don't care that we were left out; we care that a mythical sky-man was included.

September 11, 2012 at 2:25 pm |

sam stone

blake: still on your knees, begging for salvation?

September 11, 2012 at 2:43 pm |

Kate

Ditto blake – boo freaking hoo. Granted the Dem party should never have removed God from their platform in the first place. If athiests don't believe, they can protest the whole election and stay home that day. Believe what they will, I wish them luck when they reach their end...

September 11, 2012 at 3:29 pm |

sam stone

kate: which end do you speak of?

September 11, 2012 at 3:31 pm |

Amniculi

I believe she means death. You know, where we all die, decompose and then nothing else happens? I don't know why the superst.itious concept of "luck" applies, however. I bet it's because she's under the delusion that we will go to "Hell" because we didn't properly boost the ego of a mythical sky-man.

September 11, 2012 at 3:37 pm |

sam stone

amniculi: i assumed that is what she meant.

September 11, 2012 at 3:43 pm |

celisti

if you don't like what they did in convention, then don't vote for them.

As upset as I was about what happened, yes I am an athiets, I understand why it had to be done. Most athiets are intelligent enough to understand the political obligations of the party. This is a close race and unfortunately, many people fear god and rejecting him might be enough to scare the ignorant into voting GOP. I accept the snub in this case and know Obama offers us equal respect in his heart. I will still vote Dem (Obama).

September 11, 2012 at 2:12 pm |

Era

You'd love that, wouldn't you. Fortunately we're smart enough not to abstain from voting altogether over one personal issue, and not nearly stupid enough to change our vote to the Religious Fundamentalist Party now inexplicably controlling the other side out of spite.

September 11, 2012 at 2:26 pm |

Chaotician

You would think...pun intended.. that modern peoples would use the so-called religious tomes as the spiritual thoughts of the men who wrote them reflecting their cultures, their worldly understandings, and insights into thoughts and behaviors...not some Words of Their Chosen God! The whole Abrahamic world is based on the Gods of some wandering tribes labeled Jews, whose God was not very different than God's of other tribes, the Greeks, the Romans, the Egyptions, the Norse, the American peoples... it is mystifying why this particular God came to represent the whole concept of such a creature? He is of course fundamentally flawed as his creator priests deliberately seperated him from all of his creation forever while making him omnipotent, omnipresent, eternal, etc. .. and also making him real in stead of representative! The so-called Christians, real Jews who for some unfathomable reason believe that a piece of their God came unraveled and manifested as a baby of an unmarried Jewish girl to become an illiterate preacher some 33 years later to be sacrificed to the PaPa strand of God to redeem mankind from some imagined slight against PaPa that forced PaPa to expell his creation and apparently all of the assorted creatures unfortunate to be in the vicinity from some perfect garden forever!! Now there are so many things that are wrong and stupid about this mythogy, but the important thing is that it is almost useless in supporting the meaning and purpose of life...its presumed only valid purpose! It appears to be the nature of man; that the more ridiculous a religion is, the more its followers are fervent, rabid, and mindless... and vicious and mean, and deadly!

September 11, 2012 at 11:59 am |

sam stone

It has become sort of like performance art.

September 11, 2012 at 12:27 pm |

NATE

YOU ARE A LOGICAL GENIUS!!! 🙂

September 11, 2012 at 12:51 pm |

Suzanne

To Enga Sea...you better be scared. All of you who make mockery. I guess 90% of our nation is just plain stupid.

September 11, 2012 at 1:54 pm |

Amniculi

Suzanne, 90% seems about right.

September 11, 2012 at 2:22 pm |

BlindFaithisSin

Values should matter, not religion. There are plenty of corrupt preachers and corrupt atheists out there. But then, politics is all about manipulating perception anyway. Rarely do we get what we see!

September 11, 2012 at 11:42 am |

luvGodIdo

I believe in God very much and I feel that Atheists are scared of what they don't understand. If you say OMG, or godd-mn it or any other reference to God you have acknowledged Him. Good, bad or indifferent you have acknowledged His existence and His presence in the world. I would also guess that if you were in a plane crash, automobile crash or any other life changing/altering event A lot of people scream or pray at a time of crises ( acknowledgement). God has a place in our society and in our Government to the extent of acknowledgement but not telling people how, when, where or why to worship Him. Without Him we are on our way to destruction as a country (like we are now). We have put God to the side and we are paying for it and wiil as long as we choose to ignore Him.

Perhaps you should spend some time talking to atheists then. In my experience, they aren't afraid of your god or your faith.

If you say OMG, or godd-mn it or any other reference to God you have acknowledged Him.

Not really. It's a colloquialism...a turn of phrase that has become part of the popular vernacular. Nothing more.

Good, bad or indifferent you have acknowledged His existence and His presence in the world.

Not so much. You've said a word. In the case of OMG, you've exclaimed disbelief or awe in something you've witnessed, excitement. Some people get excited way too easily.

I would also guess that if you were in a plane crash, automobile crash or any other life changing/altering event A lot of people scream or pray at a time of crises ( acknowledgement).

There's a popular song from The Script that includes the line "I'm still alive but I'm barely breathing Just prayed to a God that I don't believe in"...which speaks a little to this. There are those who say that a moment of fear, of reaching out for something to ease that fear, is an acknowledgement that god exists. I don't think that's true. I think it shows that we are all human, and we all fear our own mortality,

God has a place in our society and in our Government to the extent of acknowledgement but not telling people how, when, where or why to worship Him.

Actually, no. No god or gods belong in our government. Not to be acknowledged, not to be dictated, nothing. It says so in our constituition.

Without Him we are on our way to destruction as a country (like we are now).

The religious of the world have been saying this in one form or another for hundreds of years. And yet...here we are.

We have put God to the side and we are paying for it and wiil as long as we choose to ignore Him.

So you believe. Of course, my Gods have a bigger bone to pick than yours if that's the case, seeing as they've been sidelined and ignored a whole lot longer.

September 11, 2012 at 11:02 am |

Peteyroo

LoveNonsenseIDo, sorry but I don't share your enthusiasm for ramming God into everything. He doesn't exist for starters and even if he did, he wouldn't belong in government but rather in your churches and homes where he can't get into mischief.

September 11, 2012 at 11:55 am |

Athy

livGodIdo suffers from a case of what I call severe bible washing. This is most likely an incurable case as the patient is obviously immune to logic and reasoning. Best to just move on to those that have a better chance of recovery.

September 11, 2012 at 1:38 pm |

Steve O

It's true! Just like if you say "Holy Crap", that means you are an apostle to His Feces-ness, the Divine Floater!
And if you ever said "Holy Cow", you are a Hindu!
And if you ever said "you've got to be sh*ing me", you're into scat play!
etc, etc, etc.

September 12, 2012 at 12:01 pm |

Aldewacs

Education is a real threat to religious organizations. Because education (I mean, REAL education, not religious indoctrination or brainwashing) allows more and more people to start thinking for themselves instead of drinking their parents' cook-aid.

Most young people that are able to think independently often still go to their parents' church to appease the old folks out of kindness. But the days of blind belief in imaginary friends are evaporating under the light of reason. Some day soon, the politicos will figure out that pandering to the religious sheep has become a liability.

I look forward to the day that candidates can, and will, highlight their common sense rather than suck up to those who have been indoctrinated in fairy tales, and couldn't reason their way out of a brown paper bag.

I look forward to the day that old politicians look back on their careers and are ashamed of the fact they told lies and withheld their true beliefs for fear of being blacklisted by the deluded religious sheep herders.

Today, it’s still a fact that politicians declare, true or not, that they believe in a deity, because the majority of sheep have already proven by their religious membership that they are easily led. It’s the safer bet. But I look forward to the day that ‘organized religions’ are considered toxic to political discourse because the population’s intelligence and ability to separate fact from fiction is advancing. Even in Missouri, I hope.

Education has to be the answer. Knowledge based on observations and reasoning. Intelligence, it is said, leans away from religion. Perhaps that is why the true elites, and no I don’t mean the ‘1 %’, but the big-picture thinkers and the advanced intelligentsia and scientists, do not fall for the religious fairy tale promises or scare tactics.

Most atheists are non-vocal, as they see no benefit in trying to convince believers of the folly of their ways. However the landscape is changing and the threat of religious delusions being enshrined in secular law is disconcerting to any thinking person. Therefore it is likely that more and more reasonable intelligent people will do what it takes to prevent the western world in general and the USA in particular, from becoming a theocracy. The founding fathers would be grateful for keeping religion out –after all they left Europe to get away from that nonsense.

"With all due respect", as usual. Ahem.

September 11, 2012 at 10:01 am |

Bob in Texas

Atheists and Agnostics need to get real. The fact is, no politician can win an election in the United States without pandering to the religious, at least in their rhetoric. To affirm the rights of non-believers may be the right thing to do, but it is political suicide. That's just reality. Get over it. The best we can hope for is that some will do, as the President has, and recognize that the First Amendment applies to all, including us.

September 11, 2012 at 10:37 am |

Walk Among Us

@ Bob in Texas
You are absolutely right but this is the problem people are trying to address. Would you tell a person of color, during Jim Crowe, that they should just accept reality? I am not religious nor am I a vocal atheist but I am living in a culture that expects me to ignore or hide my own beliefs, in regards to god, in order to be accepted and that is very wrong.

September 11, 2012 at 11:47 am |

Athy

Well said, Aldrwacs, I agree 100%. Except for Missouri. That one's definitely a long shot.

September 11, 2012 at 1:29 pm |

longhornhater

NONE and as a matter of fact even though I dont agree with AA no political party supports 99% of Americans

September 11, 2012 at 9:58 am |

mostest

What is the percentage of atheists who don't have children and/or someone in their lives that they can love and be loved?

I bet it is very high.

I feel sorry for atheists.

September 11, 2012 at 9:54 am |

Damocles

What?

September 11, 2012 at 9:56 am |

Aldewacs

Maybe you should get out of your parents' basement and go meet some atheists.
You might be pleasantly surprised.

September 11, 2012 at 10:03 am |

sam stone

mostest: you are an imbecile,

September 11, 2012 at 10:57 am |

Unegen

Your unearned arrogance and smugness makes you pretty unlovable, mostest. Why don't you look in a mirror before criticizing others?

September 11, 2012 at 11:48 am |

Peteyroo

Leastest, I was sitting in a local tavern with your mother and your pastor the other day discussing your low IQ and lack of imagination. Your mom brought along your favorite Bible to use as a coaster for her cold, frosty draft beer (Bibles are nice and thick and soak up the beer that runs down the side of beer glasses). Your pastor was making a list of all the people God hates, when all of a sudden he spilled his Hefe Weizen on page 666 and ruined his list. I guess he'll have to start over. Your mom was talking about how disappointed she was that you had dropped out of school before finishing Third Grade. She is rightly proud of making to the Sixth Grade before getting pregnant with you and having to drop out herself. I had to leave early so I could go to the homeless shelter to serve breakfast and your pastor needed to get back to the church to sign for a shipment of serpents and strychnine. It was just as well since your mother's boss told her to get back to work. She's a pole dancer at the tavern we were at.

September 11, 2012 at 12:09 pm |

Astra Navigo

Well, there are actually a couple of candidates running for President who believe in the First Amendment (all of it) – they're just not part of the 'system'. We can always vote for them. However, given all of this, I think I've seen the light. I'm going to give up on being an atheist.

I've decided to become a Christian...

...but not just any Christian – I'm gonna become an American Fundie. Why the change?

1. Because I'll no longer have to volunteer at homeless shelters and food banks. I can just (a) pray; and (b) blame the plight of the homeless on Obama, gays, atheists and other godless sorts.

2. Because I can get rich. Not just 'rich', but eff-you-and-your-dog rich. A megachurch gets stood-up in America every four hours (that's about 8x more than factories) – the average megachurch preacher makes $250K/year. Do the math. I can get ordained, and start preaching The Word. And, the income is tax-free, if I rig it right.

3. Because I don't have to have any real morals (see #2, above). Separating people from their savings to line my pockets is a cinch, as long as I'm (a) doing it for Jesus, and (b) pretending to do good things, like fight gay-marriage and support Mitt Romney.

4. Because I won't have to worry. Gone will be any pretense of concern for the environment or my fellow man – because 'God' is in charge of all of that, and all I have to do is keep raking in the bucks.

I've been a fool, folks. Fundiedom is for me now....

September 11, 2012 at 9:31 am |

john

Now they want a party representation, isn't it enough they have a holiday (April Fools Day) just cant please some people !

September 11, 2012 at 5:09 am |

sam stone

wow, is that clever

September 11, 2012 at 7:16 am |

Eric

I bet you enjoy your time off at Christmas though you Hypocrite.

September 11, 2012 at 9:51 am |

Aldewacs

The way you talk about "They", I'l just BET that you have written similar posts about
* black people
* gays and lesbians
* tall people
* short people
* immigrants (recent only, of course)
* people with beards
* old people (anybody more than 5 years older than you)

That's so fun-damn-entally Christian of you.

September 11, 2012 at 10:07 am |

TheSchmaltz

Eric:

I sure do. It's a great time to get together with my loved ones. We eat good food, play games, exchange gifts.

I set up a tree and decorate it, which is in line with my German heritage and is specifically forbidden in the Bible, but got rolled into Christmas tradition when they were forcibly converted. I enjoy family oriented holidays regardless of their origin, just like you do. What, you don't think you guys had the first Winter Solstice holiday, do you? It was pretty clearly ported over from early Pagan beliefs in an attempts to win them over, but that doesn't stop you from enjoying it.

September 12, 2012 at 10:45 am |

maxdogg0099

what a bunch of CRAP..Atheist suck and dont care about anyone else...

September 11, 2012 at 3:11 am |

sam stone

go fvck yourself, boy

September 11, 2012 at 4:29 am |

markkoop

You're joking, right?

September 11, 2012 at 4:31 am |

Peteyroo

MaxDogDoo, how wrong you are my feeble-minded friend. We atheists care about most everything. That's why it's so important to challenge zealots such as yourself to halt your lies. Do you hear voices? George Washington? John Belushi? God? People who hear voices are always suspect. Do you believe Jesus walked on water? That unicorns roam the earth? That leprechauns have pots of gold? What other fantasies do you have? Do you see how we might doubt your sanity? BTW Santa Claus is not real. Tooth Fairy–not real. Tinker Bell–not real. Your Bible is nonsense–a collection of stories written long after the events described. Just remember. We atheists are here to help. Whenever you feel befuddled or confused, turn to an atheist to get you back on the straight and narrow. Mother Nature gave us the looks and the intelligence while saddling you with a low IQ and no imagination. Have a nice day!

September 11, 2012 at 9:12 am |

JustPlainJoe

...and the religious such as yourself are so open minded, tolerant and forgiving.....

"what a bunch of CRAP..Atheist suck and dont care about anyone else..."

September 11, 2012 at 12:25 pm |

dakota2000

The picture of this guy- is misleading. If you saw the convention, which I assume CNN did not... you would have seen that his person was right next to a poster saying arabs for obama. Perhaps he was objecting to the whole "Jerusalem is the capital of the zionist's illegitimate country" thing.

Cnn, what a rag!

September 11, 2012 at 2:05 am |

sam stone

yet you take time to post and add to their revenue

September 11, 2012 at 4:30 am |

Ben

"American Atheists’ plans to raise billboards ridiculing the presidential candidates’ faith ended in failure. After the group put up billboards in Charlotte, North Carolina, the site of the Democratic National Convention, last month, it quickly removed them due to “physical threats to not only our staff, but the billboard company as well.”"

How is THIS not big news? Threats of indiscriminate physical violence. If this were aimed at Christian or Islamic billboards it'd be new. Because it's Atheists, it's to be expected and ignored.

September 11, 2012 at 1:10 am |

Athy

Yeah. So much for "Christian love and tolerance", eh?

September 11, 2012 at 1:23 am |

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September 11, 2012 at 12:56 am |

Peteyroo

Royal Pain Hotel, what the hell are you ranting about?

September 11, 2012 at 9:29 am |

Seansa

The thing I don't get about Atheists is why they exist in the first place. If you don't believe in God then more power to ya. It seems the ONLY reason to acknowledge this non-belief to others is to tell religious folks that they are wrong (and usually stupid/naive)

September 10, 2012 at 11:27 pm |

Da King

The woman at the well did not ask Jesus for a drink of his living water.......Sadly for her.

September 10, 2012 at 11:30 pm |

EnjaySea

Because Christians have been in power, in the west, for at least 1,800 years, lording over Europe, extracting cash from poor principalities all across the countryside, controlling governments, executing anyone who disagreed with them, and are now in the process of trying to reverse 200 years of secular government in the United States.

Of course it would be ever so convenient for Christians if we just shut our mouths, sit still, and let them do what they want, but that's SO not going to happen this time.

We're just getting started. You might want to fasten your seat belt.

September 11, 2012 at 12:02 am |

GodFreeNow

"The thing I don't get about Atheists is why they exist in the first place."

It's really pretty simple, Seansa. We're concerned that our leaders will make laws affecting all of us that are based on their nonsensical religious beliefs. It's really that simple. Keep religion as far away from our government as possible.

September 11, 2012 at 12:08 am |

sam stone

If the theists did not try to codify their religious beliefs into secular law, there would not be this kind of backlash

September 11, 2012 at 4:32 am |

Bill Deacon

AS I've stated before the whole "We're trying to keep it out of government" argument is a canard. If you were truly interested in keeping religious thought out of government and were truly logical and made efficient use of your time, you wouldn't be here arguing the existence of God or the character defects of believers. You would be on legislative websites arguing the law. You are either a bunch of liars or really stupid atheists.

September 11, 2012 at 4:16 pm |

Dan W

I guess the atheists don't see the omission of G-d as a simple mistake and not an intentional concession. These politicians do sneaky nods, gotta look for them. I'd say the omission and the readdition of G-d into the platform is as much of a nod as atheists are going to get. By definition a-theists puts that group into a negative or anti-something else category of people. In essence you have become a religion of nay-saying. Congrats.

September 10, 2012 at 10:56 pm |

Athy

What's this "G-d" shit? Can't you spell God?

September 10, 2012 at 11:01 pm |

Da King

GOOD ONE ATHY.

September 10, 2012 at 11:27 pm |

Rev. Charles

Few 100% true Reasons why Atheism is TERRIBLE and unhealthy for our children and living things:

† Atheism is a religion that makes you angry, stupid, brainwashed, ignorant & blind.
† Atheism is a disease that needs to be treated.
† Atheism makes you post stupid things (90% of silly comments here on CNN blogs are posted by closet atheists)
† Atheist are satanic and have gothic lifestyle.
† Atheists are misguided and causes problem in our religious & public society.
† Atheists are mentally ill, that's why they have no faith.
† Atheism won't take you to kingdom of heaven and paradise.
† Atheism making you agree with Mussolini, Stalin, Hitler (denied his faith later), Mao, Pol Pot & other terrible mass murder leaders who killed religious people because of their religious cult!
† No traditional family lifestyle, no holidays, no culture, boring and feeling 'outsider'
† Atheists are angry, drug additcted and committ the most crime.
† Atheist try to convert people over internet because they feel "safer" behind closet.
† Atheists do not really exist, they just pretend that they don't believe in God and argue with religious people.
† Atheists have had terrible life experience, bad childhood and not being loved.
† Most atheists are uneducated... No atheists could run for presidency.
† Atheism brought upon the French Revolution, one of the most evil events of all of history.
† Atheism cannot explain the origins of the universe, therefore God exists.
† All atheists believe in evolution, which means they don't believe in morality and think we should all act like animals.
† The Bible says atheism is wrong, and the Bible is always right (see: Genesis 1:1, Psalms 14:1, Psalms 19:1, Romans 1:19-20)
† Countries where Atheism is prevalent has the highest Suicide rate & Communist countries = Atheism!**Only 2-3% of the U.S. are atheists/agnostics VS. over 90% who believe in God (80% Christians) in the U.S.**

PS! the USA is a † nation and will always be. You know it's true and stop being ignorant and arrogant!
(Take a look at our federal/state holidays, 99% of our presidents, blue laws in parts of the nation, name of some cities/counties/streets, the majority of people, some laws, calendar, culture, etc.)
http://rightremedy.org/tracts/7

September 10, 2012 at 10:43 pm |

Athy

Every one of your points is wrong. Most of them are laughable.

September 10, 2012 at 10:48 pm |

Seansa

Er yeah, I think most Atheists are bass ackwards, but your list is presumptuous at best.

† Atheist are satanic and have gothic lifestyle.

You can't be serious? You can't be Satanic AND Atheist.

September 10, 2012 at 11:22 pm |

EnjaySea

Sorry Reverend, but since you and your ilk are no longer allowed to burn people like me at the stake, I'm free to tell you that I'm not afraid of you, your god, or your ridiculous evil red lizard with his scary, scary lake of hot lava.

September 11, 2012 at 12:10 am |

Athy

Yeah, this guy posts this same shit over and over. No one on either side takes him seriously and we usually just ignore him. I was just in a time-killing mood.

September 11, 2012 at 12:14 am |

dakota2000

Does ignorance cause religion or it is the other way around?

Do they not teach history in your part of "america"

This is not a christian country. George washington made that very clear in his letters.

Quite the opposite. America accepts people of all faiths including atheists. In fact, many people who belong to religions do not believe in god. I guess they like the cookies after service.

Anyway, if you believe in God, then I suppose you believe in santa claus and the easter bunny. Only, I have proof that santa clause and the easter bunny exist. They give me stuff at Christmas and Easter. What has your "god" given you beside a healthy dose of intolerance?

September 11, 2012 at 2:03 am |

Sabina

Your post is pretty nasty. And you call yourself a reverend??!!

September 11, 2012 at 8:50 am |

Peteyroo

Reverend Chucklehead, you're a tad long-winded today. Did the bars close early? Got too much time on your hands? I suggest you stop listening to the voices you hear. Seek medical help. Get you head out of your backside. Finish 3rd grade. After you've done these basics, we'll talk about the drivel you posted.

September 11, 2012 at 9:21 am |

Astra Navigo

Rev. Charles – here's a diddy and a blankie – go back to bed – the adults are talking now....

September 11, 2012 at 9:34 am |

Dave

Your ignorance is stunning. I couldn't write anything that makes you look more foolish than what you have posted yourself.

September 11, 2012 at 9:59 am |

doughnuts

Chuck, zealots like you are why atheists organize and try to make sure the government at all levels remains as secular as possible. Zealots like you are why a little girl in Pakistan was arrested for blasphemy, and almost killed. Zealots like you are why thousands of innocent women in Europe (and a few in North America) were killed for being "witches." Zealots like you are responsible for a large part of the human miserly that has wracked this globe for millenia.

September 11, 2012 at 10:32 am |

W. R. Martin

Religion that makes you angry, stupid, brainwashed, ignorant & blind.
Religion is a mental illness that needs to be treated.
Religion makes you stupid
Christians make no sense – atheists cannot, by definition be satanic.
What, exactly does a Gothic lifestyle have to do with anything?
Religion causes problems in public society.
Christians are mentally ill, that's why they have faith, which is belief without evidence.
Religion won't take you to kingdom of heaven and paradise either.
Religion makes you ignorant of history.
Most prisoners in the US are Christian.
Christians use the internet because they feel "safer" behind closet.
Real Christians do not really exist, they just pretend and cherry-pick what suits them at the moment.
Christians have had terrible life experience, bad childhood and not being loved.
Most Christians are uneducated and willfully ignorant and proud of it.
French aristocracy and their abuse of the citizenry brought upon the French Revolution, one of the events most like the US Revolution.
Christians think the French citizens were worth less than the aristocracy.
Religion cannot explain anything; therefore God. (even religion can't make a decent joke)
Atheists believe in science which means they don't believe in sky fairies and terrorists calling themselves god.
Cartman says religion is wrong, and the Catman is always right (see: South Park 1:1 – 13:99)

Wow, this is easy! I can be reverend too?

September 12, 2012 at 3:03 pm |

gggg

I am not an atheist. I am far, far worse to any of these parties. I believe in God, but all organized religion is a sham designed to acquire money and influence. Why is this worse? Because all these parties believe in a God as put forward by some religion, not in God as the promoter of peace, love, and tolerance. And most religions nowadays are not exactly tolerant, and they are willing to go to war to make their point.

September 10, 2012 at 10:40 pm |

Athy

So why don't you just chuck the whole thing and set yourself free?

September 10, 2012 at 10:46 pm |

Bill Deacon

Set himself free from what? He sounds pretty free to me.

September 11, 2012 at 4:18 pm |

Skeptimist

Atheists don't welcome me because I admit that I keep bumping into things I cannot explain but I'm not mad about it.
Right-wing evangelicals don't welcome me because, so far, my favorite Christian theologian is Thomas Jefferson.
And U.S. politicians (except for Bernie Sanders) really don't like me because all my favorite political parties are in Finland.

But still, I'm very happy because I have a little statue of Buddha on my bedside table. He sends me off to sleep each night singing "What a Friend We Have in Jesus". And he means it.

So just lighten up and smile. You can help repair the world, one kindness at a time.

September 10, 2012 at 9:31 pm |

Geno

I'm an atheist.. I don't care that the DNC and GOP platforms acknowledge a "God". If someone else decides they want to believe "God" exists that's their call. Freedom of religion. Nes Pas?

September 10, 2012 at 9:27 pm |

anon

Why more people do not get this is beyond me. It would seem many atheists are reacting to the feeling that those who have a belief are telling them they are bad and wrong (and there are certainly many examples of people doing just that.) But instead of ignoring those people and living their lives they merely become the flip side of those they oppose. I am a huge supporter of people having the right to their own beliefs. If you are Atheist, or Catholic, of Muslim, or Methodist, it's all good to me.

The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.